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Laurie Holden HAILED for standing by Johnny Depp since 2016 despite intense backlash

Depp, 58, and Amber Heard, 35, are embroiled in a bitter legal battle as the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' star is suing his ex-wife for defamation

Actress Laurie Holden was hailed on social media for defending Johnny Depp since Amber Heard's allegations were first made public. Now, the 'Walking Dead' star has said she would do it again despite the backlash she received at the time.

Depp, 58, and Heard, 35, are embroiled in a bitter legal battle as the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' star is suing his ex-wife for defamation. Depp is seeking $50 million in damages while Heard has filed a counterclaim for $100 million. Depp has garnered overwhelming support as the trial proceeded, especially after audio recordings played in court had Heard allegedly admitting to "hitting" and "starting a physical fight" with her ex-husband. 

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While Depp is currently favored in the court of public opinion, the unsavory details of his marriage with Heard were still private in 2016. As Heard filed for divorce, it was also revealed she obtained a restraining order against Depp, accusing him of physically abusing her. Holden chimed in at the time to announce that she was watching Depp's movie 'Alice Through the Looking Glass' in support of the embattled star. She told those prematurely criticizing Depp to "zip it" as the "real truth" was yet to be unveiled.

Holden was excoriated for sharing her opinion at the time, with some accusing her of ignoring domestic abuse and violence. The actress then wrote a follow-up tweet to explain that she was only telling the public not to jump to conclusions and that the photos taken of Heard's allegedly bruised face may not tell the "whole story." She tweeted, "To be clear: I am just saying DON'T JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS. Even a pic might not be telling the whole story."

Holden, while urging people to grant Depp a chance to tell his side of the story, also wanted to clarify that she took allegations of abuse rather seriously. She offered an apology in a statement but stood by her stance that Depp must be heard before he's vilified on social media. The statement read:

I am deeply saddened if my recent comments offended anyone or caused victims of domestic violence to feel disrespected. I am an active crusader in support of victims’ rights, human rights and deplore the idea of anyone being physically and emotionally abused in any form. I must clarify that my comments were solely an impassioned reaction to the vilification of a human being on social media and the public outcry for complete and utter ruination. Let me be clear: I strongly believe that each and every individual who alleges ‘abuse’ should be heard and protected under full recourse of the law…but I do not support cyber bullying and trial by Twitter. Stop the hate, grant people the grace of working out their issues without a mob mentality audience.
 

As the defamation trial proceeds, Depp's fans seem confident the jury will ultimately rule in his favor because the evidence is on his side. The 'Donnie Brasco' actor has garnered tremendous support since losing a libel case in the UK to The Sun, which called him a "wife-beater" following Heard's allegations. Now that Holden's opinion isn't so unpopular anymore, she said she'd "do it again" when it came to defending Depp.

"Glad I did. Would do it again in a heartbeat. Just happy that 6 years later the world is finally catching up, The truth is now being revealed and there will be justice," Holden tweeted on Thursday, April 21.

"Abuse is not constricted to gender. Let’s get past stereotypes of what a victim is 'supposed' to look like. Females are abused every day. Males are abused every day as well. Let’s unify as humans & choose the path of kindness; treat one another with human decency," she added in a follow-up tweet.

The actress was lauded on social media for her unwavering support of Depp.

"Thank you so much. Your support is so needed and welcome," one tweeted.

"It seems that the media is trying to strongarm and bully people who defend Depp. I am glad there are some who will speak the truth even when it goes against the narrative," another wrote.

"The truth is coming out. Johnny will come out on top of it all. And there better be 6 years worth of apologies going in his direction, by every single doubter out there," someone else added.

"Man just see the replies and quotes, I feel sorry she had to go through this," another tweeted, quoting Holden's original 2016 tweet that received quite the backlash. The actress responded to that tweet, writing, "I have been through far worse :)"